«Che gran viaggio è stato». David Lee Roth è telegrafico ma coglie il punto. Quella di Eddie Van Halen, stroncato da un cancro alla gola lo scorso 6 ottobre all’età di 65 anni, è stata una gran bella avventura che ha cambiato per sempre la sua come le vite degli altri cantanti e musicisti che si sono avvicendati lungo la ultra quarantennale carriera di una band che ha messo a ferro e fuoco la scena hard rock ed heavy metal a partire dagli anni ’70 / ’80.
What a Long Great Trip It’s Been.. pic.twitter.com/M5pmkVi7hW
— David Lee Roth (@DavidLeeRoth) October 7, 2020
Anche Sammy Hagar, che ha preso il posto di Lee Roth negli anni ’80, è sintetico: «senza parole, e col cuore spezzato». Che è praticamente lo stesso pensiero del bassista di lungo corso Michael Anthony, in formazione fino al 2006, anno in cui ha ceduto il posto al figlio di Eddie, Wolfgang.
Heartbroken and speechless. My love to the family. pic.twitter.com/MQMueMF2XO
— Sammy Hagar (@sammyhagar) October 6, 2020
Ed infine Gary Cherone, cantante del gruppo dal 1996 al 1999, che ne sottolinea il carattere («He was a kind and gentle soul») e l’impatto che l’icona del rock ha avuto su tutti loro.
Whether you were blessed to have known him or not, He was a kind and gentle soul… His impact on ALL our lives was immeasurable! His music, eternal! My deepest sympathies to the Van Halen family… Love you Ed #LongLiveTheKing!
— Gary Cherone (@garycherone) October 6, 2020
La notizia della morte di Eddie Van Halen è stata data ieri dal figlio che, sempre via social media, ha affermato di credere di «non potersi mai riprendere completamente da questa perdita».
Durante la notte sono stati numerosi gli omaggi al compianto musicista da parte della comunità musicale. Di seguito i tweet più significativi da parte di Metallica, Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, Steven Tyler e tantissimi altri.
. @EddieVanHalen was one of the nicest guys I ever worked with and we shared so many laughs together. His influence on music and especially the guitar has been immeasurable. He was an absolute legend. Eddie, I’ll see you on the other side, my friend. Love, Ozzy.
— Ozzy Osbourne (@OzzyOsbourne) October 6, 2020
I’m just devastated to hear the news of the passing of my dear friend Eddie Van Halen. He fought a long and hard battle with his cancer right to the very end. Eddie was one of a very special kind of person, a really great friend. Rest In Peace my dear friend till we meet again. pic.twitter.com/Qs8tsLPANJ
— Tony Iommi (@tonyiommi) October 6, 2020
https://twitter.com/Metallica/status/1313610501490765824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1313610501490765824%7Ctwgr%5Eshare_3&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fconsequenceofsound.net%2F2020%2F10%2Fmusicians-celebrities-react-eddie-van-halen-death%2F
https://t.co/QjAj45KED8 Apex talent. An unparalleled titan in the annals of rock n roll. One of the greatest musicians in the history of mankind. Rest In Peace, King Edward
— Tom Morello (@tmorello) October 6, 2020
HE CHANGED THE COURSE OF GUITAR WHAMMY BAR ROCK & RHYME… A GAME CHANGER… AND HIS MELODIC CRAZY WAS OVER THE TOP… WE’LL MISS YOU EDDIE…
LOVE FROM ABOVE
ST pic.twitter.com/ByiJBk2KfR— Steven Tyler (@IamStevenT) October 7, 2020
— Pearl Jam (@PearlJam) October 6, 2020
My heart is broken. Eddie was not only a Guitar God, but a genuinely beautiful soul. Rest in peace, Eddie! …Eddie Van Halen Dead at 65 from Cancer https://t.co/gITtcndQVv
— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) October 6, 2020
RIP @eddievanhalen pic.twitter.com/sLj2m1Ew7p
— William Patrick Corgan (@Billy) October 6, 2020
https://twitter.com/BillyIdol/status/1313571260564152322?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1313571260564152322%7Ctwgr%5Eshare_3&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fconsequenceofsound.net%2F2020%2F10%2Fmusicians-celebrities-react-eddie-van-halen-death%2F
Legendary guitar and musical innovator Edward Van Halen. 1955-2020. Heaven will be electric tonight. pic.twitter.com/hdLd7atI74
— Lenny Kravitz (@LennyKravitz) October 6, 2020
I just heard about Eddie Van Halen and I feel terrible about it. Eddie was such a great guitarist and I remember how big Van Halen was, especially here in L.A. Love and Mercy to Eddie’s family & friends. pic.twitter.com/PY8fyrx1Lu
— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) October 6, 2020